Carnival Shareholders, Stockholders and Onboard Credit

[cp556]

I got my online proxy for the Carnival Annual Meeting in my email today.

One of the items to vote on is For or Against the proposal to allow Carnival to buy back some common shares. Their Board recommends a vote FOR.

I chose to vote AGAINST, on the simple premise that if they buy back my stock and I'm not a shareholder any longer, I lose the onboard credit that is given us for owning more than 100 shares. And that adds up when you cruise longer itineraries on Holland America....

JMHO....

[Dave M]

I don't think there was any reason to vote "against". Unless Carnival's proposal is unlike most corporate buyback proposals, the buybacks would be in the open market and in structured deals with institutional investors.

[Dave M]

Confirming....

The proxy materials ask that Carnival be given the authority to make market purchases of shares, not to force existing shareholders to sell against their will.

[iflyrc5]

I lose the onboard credit that is given us for owning more than 100 shares.

JMHO....

How much onboard credit do you get for holding 100 shares of Carnival when sailing on HAL???

[hammybee]

It's common for companies to buy back some of their outstanding stock. One of the reasons this is done is to create a demand for it, when their stock prices slump. In theory, the management of the company is creating the message that the stock is a bargain at its current price range.

[FRANKIEDNYC]

:) 14 days or longer $250.00
7 to 13 days $100.00
6 days or less $50.00

[shotei]

In my opinion, shareholders should definitely vote FOR that proposal. You will not lose your shares unless you decide on your own to sell them on the open market.

When the board of directors decides that a company's stock is undervalued in the stock market they can decide to use some of their cash flow to purchase those undervalued shares. The net effect is that after such a purchase, each of your held shares represents a larger portion of ownership of the company than it did before. This is a benefit for existing shareholders.

Another benefit is that a stock re-purchase plan will provide a "floor" under the price of a stock by creating a large chunk of demand.

The only downside to such a proposal is that the cash flow is diverted from other possible uses (such as buying new ships or paying a higher dividend).

Marc

[iflyrc5]

:) 14 days or longer $250.00
7 to 13 days $100.00
6 days or less $50.00

Thanks - do you need to own the stock when you book the cruise, make final payment or take the cruise?? We have a 26 day coming up in Nov 08 so at the current price of $38.xx it would be worth buying 100 shares to get the $250 credit.

[RuthC]

Thanks - do you need to own the stock when you book the cruise, make final payment or take the cruise??
When you take the cruise. So, you can purchase it after final payment and still get the credit. You do need to leave sufficient time, though, to send in the verification and have it processed. I'd give that at least a couple of weeks---longer would be better.

[Namvet4]

This point may have been clarified in previous posts, but I will ask . . .
Does your shareholder OBC limit you from receiving and using other non HAL/Carnival Corp on board credits? Is there a limit on the amount of OBC you can have in your account ( 2 people sailing on one booking)
Thanks for responding . . .

[richkinkade]

If you mean can you get double the credit if you both own stock, the answer is no. The credit is per cabin, not per person. If you mean is it combinable with other credits, that's another question, much discussed on these boards. The answer seems to be that your mileage will vary depending upon the circumstances, although there are those who claim Carnival has loosened it's policies recently.

[luvcruisn']

I bought my stock a few weeks before I sailed and faxed the information to Seattle. I received confirmation in a few days by e-mail as I had requested on my fax. On my 15 day cruise I was able to combine the stock credit with the onboard booking deposit credit, as I had made a booking while on a previous cruise. On my second cruise of 7 days right after the 15 day cruise, I received the stock credit and another $25.00 onboard credit from Holland America. The travel agent had said that the $25.00 credit came with the booking of that particular cruise, although it was not from an onboard booking this time.

[CDRMark]

CCL shareholders meeting 4/22. Road trip!
We should pile up proxies and submit our demands...:)
Cheers
Mark

[iflyrc5]

I bought my stock a few weeks before I sailed and faxed the information to Seattle. I received confirmation in a few days by e-mail as I had requested on my fax. On my 15 day cruise I was able to combine the stock credit with the onboard booking deposit credit, as I had made a booking while on a previous cruise. On my second cruise of 7 days right after the 15 day cruise, I received the stock credit and another $25.00 onboard credit from Holland America. The travel agent had said that the $25.00 credit came with the booking of that particular cruise, although it was not from an onboard booking this time.


luvcruisn - would you please contact me off line at iflyrc5 at comcast.net. I would like to know where and what to send to HAL. Do you have a point of contact at HAL for this program that I can contact?? We have a 26 day booked for this fall and a 14 day for next spring and would like to get this credit.

Thanks,

[JORAY]

luvcruisn - would you please contact me off line at iflyrc5 at comcast.net. I would like to know where and what to send to HAL. Do you have a point of contact at HAL for this program that I can contact?? We have a 26 day booked for this fall and a 14 day for next spring and would like to get this credit.

Thanks,

Info you need is at

http://phx.corporate-ir.net/phoenix.zhtml?c=140690&p=irol-sharebenefit

Ray

[hammybee]

CCL shareholders meeting 4/22. Road trip!
We should pile up proxies and submit our demands...:)
Cheers
Mark
:D :D :D

[iflyrc5]

Thanks - exactly what I needed. This forum is SUPER to get out GREAT information!!!!:D

[LAFFNVEGAS]

Info you need is at

http://phx.corporate-ir.net/phoenix.zhtml?c=140690&p=irol-sharebenefit

Ray
On the link above it lists a fax number for HAL, I show that as being an old fax number and was given a different number last Fall. I just fax a letter to 206-281-0627 My cover letter just states to Whom It May Concern, I send them my most recent statement from Ameritrade and I give them my sailing date, booking number and cabin number. I just state if they have any questions to feel free to call me and give them a number where to call me. I usually check about 48 hours later with my TA to see if it has been applied and so far no problems after using it on the last 10 cruises :)

[Namvet4]

Thank you to all who responded . . .All excellent information! :)

[ANSalberg]

Just a comment on the OBC for cruises. The stock is voted in the spring but the applicable dates for OBC is July to July. Our next cruise is September and it was booked well prior to July last summer; plus we have already booked a September 2009 cruise. For that OBC we will wait for notification THIS spring and the dates will be July 2009 to July 2010 for THAT cruise!
This is STRICTLY for Carnival Stock Credit/OBC. Other OBC is dependent on other "rules" . We cruise enough now [ retired] that we have MORE than paid for our Carnival stock!
Anne

[bed7ford]

Hi cp556. I read with much interest your post regarding onboard credit if a shareholder. I am also a shareholder but nobody told me about this credit. Please advise who I can contact to get the full details. I sail Holland America often.:p

[Dave M]

bed7ford -

See the link in JORAYs post (#15 in this thread) for all the info, including how to request credit.

[bed7ford]

Cp556 I cant find thread 15. Would you mind repeating what he said. Thanks.:p

[LAFFNVEGAS]

Info you need is at

http://phx.corporate-ir.net/phoenix.zhtml?c=140690&p=irol-sharebenefit

Ray
bed7ford, the above is what they were talking about and if you click that link it gives you information

[Paul&Kathy]

We were told about this OBC for shareholders on a recent cruise and thank you all for the information. Yhe trouble is that we generally book quite close to sailing (1-2 months) with online dicount travel companies. Would we still get the OBC ? The shareholder info says that it does not apply to discount or complimentary travel but not sure whether that means anything below brochure price or just special discount for families of crew members etc ? We live in England but usually book in $, presume that would not be a problem? Any info most appreciated.

[richkinkade]

I've never paid brochure price and I've never had a problem getting the OBC. You will have to mail, fax or email proof that you own 100 shares. Ask for a confirmation email when you do so.

[Paul&Kathy]

Thanks very much, that is interesting. We will probably buy some shares before our next carnival corp cruise.

[SueCruz]

Princess?
HAL?
etc.

[luvcruisn']

Princess?
HAL?
etc.

Yes, the stock credit can be used on all of the Carnival Corporation owned lines. According to the link, Carnival Corp. can say no to the credit if you have paid a reduced rate for the cruise - not sure how reduced though. I have always booked my cruises through a discount travel agency and have received the stock credit so far on cruises of 7 days or more.

[m steve]

We booked a 7 day cruise last Nov on HAL and recently changed it to a 20 day B2B. Original credit was $70 for booking on the cruise and $100 for the stock. Now it's $150 for cruise booking and $200 for stock totalling $400. That might even cover my bar bill.

[DougandEric]

I've tried to get the credit several times (I've owned CCL stock for years) and have been denied each time - the reason given is that I booked a reduced fare and the credit would be like an additional discount. Others I've asked said they booked a reduced fare and have always gotten it. No rhyme or reason to me since I don't know anyone who's pays full fare (brochure rate). If you plan to buy the stock for the credit, verify if your booking will allow you to get it - have TA contact HAL before you buy! Also think if 4K to 5K worth of stock is worth the credit you'd get!

:mad:

[LAFFNVEGAS]

Doug and Eric, I cannot help but think that you are going about getting the credit the wrong way or requesting from the wrong source. I have never ever paid full price plus have gotten some amazing dicounts like in Oct 2005 paid $1100 PP for a S Suite for 7 days and still got the stock credit. We cruise 4 times a year and purchased the stock in 2004. Do you have a Full 100 shares? Is it actual purchased stock not part of a investment portfolio such as a 401K that has everything grouped together? Does it actually show you as the owner of the stock not a group of some sort? Or are you booking your cruise as a TA of some sort or being booked by some one who is an employee of HAL or have friends that work for Steiner or the entertainment group so that you are being booked with someone that is crew? I am currently still at home but I can later post the fax number that I send my request to and recently the credit has been added in just a few hours.

[DougandEric]

Hi Lisa,

I have a 100 shares in my E*Trade brokerage account and it's not part of a 401k or anything else. I'm not an employee of HAL or any of their subsidiaries. I've had my TA submit the request to HAL and after they denied it, to ask them again why it was denied. The reason given was as stated. We're repeaters with HAL/CCL/Cunard (25 day pin holders on HAL!). We're booked on the Veendam in November so I'd like to try for the credit again. Please let me know what process you use and I'll try that route.

Thanks,
Doug

[LAFFNVEGAS]

Hi Lisa,

I have a 100 shares in my E*Trade brokerage account and it's not part of a 401k or anything else. I'm not an employee of HAL or any of their subsidiaries. I've had my TA submit the request to HAL and after they denied it, to ask them again why it was denied. The reason given was as stated. We're repeaters with HAL/CCL/Cunard (25 day pin holders on HAL!). We're booked on the Veendam in November so I'd like to try for the credit again. Please let me know what process you use and I'll try that route.

Thanks,
Doug

Doug, I just fax a cover letter stating my sailing date, cabin number and booking number with a current print out from my on line Ameritrade account showing my stock. I make sure that my full name and address appears and make sure that it shows a current date. I then fax it to 206-281-0627 I never black out anything because this particular account only has the CCL stock and a couple of other loser stocks:o so I really do not care that they see all of it.

I usually state in the cover letter that if they have any questions they can contact me and I give them a phone number. I have never heard from them directly I just always contact my TA the next day to have her check to see if they show the credit. Hope this helps.:)

[Travel Angel]

Doug, I just fax a cover letter stating my sailing date, cabin number and booking number with a current print out from my on line Ameritrade account showing my stock. I make sure that my full name and address appears and make sure that it shows a current date. I then fax it to 206-281-0627 I never black out anything because this particular account only has the CCL stock and a couple of other loser stocks:o so I really do not care that they see all of it.

I usually state in the cover letter that if they have any questions they can contact me and I give them a phone number. I have never heard from them directly I just always contact my TA the next day to have her check to see if they show the credit. Hope this helps.:)

The CORRECT fax # to submitt info to Carnival for shipboard credit is:
305.406.6477 per Carnival Shareholder Benefits section. This is the # I have used for personal shipboard credit and when assisting clients obtain their OBC.

The fax # referred to by LAFFNVEGAS post is to Holland America Line/Ships if holding 100 shares or more of Carnival stock and is also entitled to the shipboard credit. The only reason I am confident in the correct # is because at one time I used the fax # referenced by LAFFNVEGAS and had a call from HAL rgearding the incorrect fax# I had sent to.

Regardless.... Go get those OBC's if a stock holder with 100 shares or more to use on your next FunShip cruise !

[Dave M]

You are correct. That 305 # is for Carnival cruises.

However, for HAL cruises, LAFFNVEGAS' 206 # is the correct number, as detailed at the shareholder benefit site (http://library.corporate-ir.net/library/14/140/140690/items/287713/Carn_Benefit.pdf). Note that the shareholder onboard credit info at that site was updated just within the past month or so.

[DougandEric]

Thanks for the update! I'll be trying for it again!